Last week’s New Straits Times-Maybank Car of the Year (COTY) awards saw Proton bag 2 of the very coveted awards, namely for the Suprima S in the People’s Choice Award category and the Saga SV as the Entry Level Compact Car of the Year.
Remember a time when the Chinese would visit luxury car showrooms with bulging pockets and snap up cars with, well, the snap of their fingers? Well, no longer.
A recent survey by TNS, a global marketing consultancy firm, has revealed that Chinese car buyer are wising up. Out of 1000 respondents, about 75% of them said that their final purchasing decision is motivated by promotional packages, including discounts, extended warranties or other freebies. Just last year, only 40% of people surveyed said that they were influenced by such marketing tactics.
Who else is happy that the trade sanctions against Iran is easing? If Automology’s writing about it, then carmakers, of course.
Before foreign carmakers began withdrawing from dealings with Iran, the Iranian market was a juicy cash cow. The 2 largest foreign automaker with presence in the country were the French PSA Peugeot Citroen and South Korean Kia Motors. In 2011, Peugeot had sold 457 900 spare part kits that were then assembled into vehicles in Iran, which was the second largest sales volume after the automaker’s home country. But in February 2012, shipments were ceased, as mandated by the sanctions, causing Peugeot’s sales in Iran to fall 68% and losing a monthly earning of EUR10 million.
Columnist, MAC, examines Renault-Nissan’s autonomous vehicle, but isn’t exactly keen on the technology for himself.
Guest writer, SUE, wants to know what cars are used to chauffeur the leaders of the world from one important appointment to another.
The only reason I learnt to drive was to get from one place to another without bothering anyone to chauffeur me. I don’t necessarily need to know car jargon, but I don’t want to feel left out or look like an ignoramus (although the truth is that I’m just not interested).